Service Information

Paul F.W. Brettmann

August 29, 1925 - May 12, 2017

Obituary

~ Paul Fred William Brettmann ~

Paul Brettmann passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017 peacefully at his home and surrounded by family. He was 91 years old. Paul was born August 29, 1925 where he grew up with his two brothers, Alvin and Herbert, on their family farm in Deshler, NE. He enlisted in the Navy in June of 1944 where he served in the Pacific Theater on the Auxiliary Personnel Attach Ship, The USS Gallatin. He was honorably discharged and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE graduating with a BA in...

~ Paul Fred William Brettmann ~

Paul Brettmann passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017 peacefully at his home and surrounded by family. He was 91 years old. Paul was born August 29, 1925 where he grew up with his two brothers, Alvin and Herbert, on their family farm in Deshler, NE. He enlisted in the Navy in June of 1944 where he served in the Pacific Theater on the Auxiliary Personnel Attach Ship, The USS Gallatin. He was honorably discharged and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE graduating with a BA in 1950. While there, he met and married his wife Patricia Gauger, August 28, 1949.

Paul first taught at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne, WY but later began his career with State Farm Insurance where he was a senior claim specialist and Suit Negotiator. In 1955 Paul reported to the West Central State Farm Office in Lincoln, NE. He then transferred to Worland, WY as a field claim representative. In 1960 was assigned to the Colorado Springs Claimmen's Association. He moved to the Mile Hi City, Denver in 1963 and 1967 was appointed to the position of Suit Negotiator and eventually finished his career and retired with State Farm 1991.

He is most remembered for his fun-loving personality, wit and charm, his love for the outdoors, fishing, camping, horses, and restoration of antiques, buggies and sleighs.

Paul enjoyed having family and friends gather at his country home where he wouldn't hesitate to offer a horse drawn sleigh or buggy ride. Family Christmas at his home offered sing a long's and reading the Christmas story from the Bible. He would always be sure to ring the sleigh bells when everyone arrived. Summer birthday's always involved family an ad-lib softball game, or horse shoes. Paul truly put family first and celebrated his children and grandchildren with love and generosity, never forgetting a birthday and being sure to take each grandchild on their own fishing trip.

Paul loved life and treated people with respect and authenticity. He stayed in touch with his friends throughout his life, his Navy and High School friends, his colleagues at State Farm, his neighbors and social groups were all very important to him. The Nebraska roots ran deep and he returned to his home town throughout his life. He loved his church and its community where he had been a member since 1963. Memorandum will go to Shepherd of the Hills Christian School.

Those who preceded Paul in death are his wife ,Patricia Brettmann; his son, Brian Brettmann; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Herbert and Mildred Brettmann, Alvin and Flora Brettmann; and his niece and her husband, Stan and Diane Bartling.